Salesians Support Amazon Yanomami Tribe

Salesians Support Amazon Yanomami Tribe

 

Salesian Missions

(ANS – Maturacá, Brazil – August 28, 2023) -- Salesian missionaries in the Maturacá mission in Alto Rio Negro, the Brazilian part of Amazon rainforest, provided support for the Yanomami indigenous community thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions of New Rochelle. Salesians have been in the region for more than 40 years and have a school, pastoral center, and parish.

During the funding period from October 2021 to October 2022, Salesians visited 4 villages and provided recreational and sporting activities for 646 children. In addition, Salesians provided sacraments and made home visits for health and education support. Funding also provided for a range of support including gasoline for motorboats, a 4×4 car rental, diesel for a power generator, educational materials and meals for students, batteries for solar energy, and personnel costs.

One of the biggest challenges is accessing the community given the distance and terrain to reach the mission. Salesians take many journeys between the Maturacá base and smaller Yanomami communities. Fuel for boats and a car to travel over the gravel roads are important for their work.

Salesians work against illiteracy and poverty while cultivating and preserving traditional culture. Education also includes information about healthy living and protecting the environment. More than 500 people are involved in the education programs.

In addition, Salesians focus on ensuring that children have the nutrition they need. A Salesian explained: “Malnutrition is a serious problem in the region. The main food is cassava and caught fish or hunted game. But often children don’t get a nutritious meal. On the mission, the youngest are nourished during breaks between lessons and during the activity in the youth center and parish. Salesians supplement food and vitamins to help prevent malnutrition.”

Funding also provided for batteries for solar energy. In 2008, solar panels and energy storage batteries were purchased that provide electricity at night. The previous batteries are down to 10% of their life, but with the donor funding, Salesians were able to purchase new batteries.

Salesian missionaries in Brazil provide education, workforce development and social services throughout the country. Missionaries help to meet the basic needs of poor youths, including street children, and provide them with an education and life skills to gain employment, break the cycle of poverty, and lead productive lives.

According to the World Bank, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on Brazil with poverty tripling in 2021. Nearly 17 million people fell into poverty in the first quarter of the year, and the poverty rate now is higher than it was a decade ago. Researchers estimate that 12.8% of Brazil’s population, some 27 million people, are now living below the poverty line.

Source: Salesian Missions